Glass fiber core materials are widely used in various applications, such as insulation, fire protection, sound absorption, and structural reinforcement. However, conventional glass fiber core materials have some limitations, such as high thermal conductivity, low resilience, and poor dimensional stability. To overcome these challenges, we have developed a novel wet forming technology that can transform glass fiber raw cotton into thin glass fiber felt. This technology can change the three-dimensional distribution of glass fibers into a two-dimensional stacking, which can reduce the thermal conductivity and increase the resilience of the core material. Moreover, this technology can also control the thickness, density, and shape of the core material by adjusting the parameters of the wet forming process. In this blog post, I will introduce the principle, process, and advantages of the wet forming technology.
The principle of the wet forming technology is based on the capillary action of water. When the glass fiber raw cotton is immersed in water, the water molecules adhere to the surface of the glass fibers and form a thin film. The water film acts as a lubricant that reduces the friction between the glass fibers and allows them to slide and rearrange. As the water is drained from the bottom of the forming tank, the glass fibers are pulled down by gravity and form a thin layer on the mesh belt. The thickness of the layer depends on the amount of water and the speed of the drainage. The layer is then transferred to a hot press, where it is dried and consolidated under high temperature and pressure. The density of the layer depends on the pressure and the duration of the hot press. The shape of the layer can be customized by using different molds or cutting tools.
The advantages of the wet forming technology are manifold. First, it can reduce the thermal conductivity of the glass fiber core material by changing the orientation of the glass fibers. The conventional glass fiber core material has a three-dimensional distribution of glass fibers, which creates many air gaps that can conduct heat. The wet forming technology can change the distribution of glass fibers into a two-dimensional stacking, which reduces the air gaps and the thermal conductivity. According to our experiments, the thermal conductivity of the thin glass fiber felt can be reduced by 30% compared to the conventional glass fiber core material. Second, it can increase the resilience of the glass fiber core material by increasing the flexibility of the glass fibers. The conventional glass fiber core material has a rigid structure that can be easily deformed and damaged by external forces. The wet forming technology can increase the flexibility of the glass fibers by lubricating them with water and allowing them to slide and rearrange. This can improve the resilience of the glass fiber core material and make it more durable and stable. Third, it can control the thickness, density, and shape of the glass fiber core material by adjusting the parameters of the wet forming process. The conventional glass fiber core material has a fixed thickness and density that are determined by the production process. The wet forming technology can control the thickness and density of the glass fiber core material by changing the amount of water, the speed of the drainage, the pressure, and the duration of the hot press. This can create different types of glass fiber core materials for different applications and requirements. Moreover, the wet forming technology can also control the shape of the glass fiber core material by using different molds or cutting tools. This can create various shapes of glass fiber core materials, such as sheets, rolls, tubes, or profiles.
In conclusion, the wet forming technology is a novel and innovative technology that can transform glass fiber raw cotton into thin glass fiber felt. This technology can reduce the thermal conductivity, increase the resilience, and control the thickness, density, and shape of the glass fiber core material. This technology can create new possibilities and opportunities for the application and development of glass fiber core materials.
How Wet Forming Technology Can Produce High-Performance Glass Fiber Core Materials
Glass fiber core materials are widely used in various applications, such as insulation, fire protection, sound absorption, and structural reinforcement. However, conventional glass fiber core materials have some limitations, such as high thermal conductivity, low resilience, and poor dimensional stability. To overcome these challenges, we have developed a novel wet forming technology that can transform glass fiber raw cotton into thin glass fiber felt. This technology can change the three-dimensional distribution of glass fibers into a two-dimensional stacking, which can reduce the thermal conductivity and increase the resilience of the core material. Moreover, this technology can also control the thickness, density, and shape of the core material by adjusting the parameters of the wet forming process. In this blog post, I will introduce the principle, process, and advantages of the wet forming technology.
The principle of the wet forming technology is based on the capillary action of water. When the glass fiber raw cotton is immersed in water, the water molecules adhere to the surface of the glass fibers and form a thin film. The water film acts as a lubricant that reduces the friction between the glass fibers and allows them to slide and rearrange. As the water is drained from the bottom of the forming tank, the glass fibers are pulled down by gravity and form a thin layer on the mesh belt. The thickness of the layer depends on the amount of water and the speed of the drainage. The layer is then transferred to a hot press, where it is dried and consolidated under high temperature and pressure. The density of the layer depends on the pressure and the duration of the hot press. The shape of the layer can be customized by using different molds or cutting tools.
One of the main advantages of the wet forming technology is that it can produce glass fiber core materials with high strength and uniform fiber distribution. Unlike the traditional dry forming technology, which relies on mechanical bonding and thermal curing, the wet forming technology uses water as a medium to disperse, beat, and copy the glass fiber raw cotton. This process can break the fiber bundles and align the fibers in a parallel direction, resulting in a thin and dense glass fiber felt. The wet felt is then dried and cut into the desired shape and size. The wet forming technology can enhance the inter-fiber bonding and improve the mechanical properties of the core material, such as tensile strength, compressive strength, and modulus. Moreover, the wet forming technology can ensure a homogeneous fiber distribution and avoid the formation of voids and defects, which can affect the thermal and acoustic performance of the core material.
Another benefit of the wet forming technology is that it can achieve good insulation and sound insulation performance. The wet forming technology can reduce the thermal conductivity of the glass fiber core material by changing the three-dimensional structure of the glass fibers into a two-dimensional stacking. This can reduce the heat transfer through the fiber network and increase the thermal resistance of the core material. The wet forming technology can also produce glass fiber core materials with a low density and a high porosity, which can enhance the sound absorption and noise reduction of the core material. Furthermore, the wet forming technology can be used to produce glass fiber core materials for vacuum insulation panels (VIPs), which are one of the most efficient thermal insulation materials. The wet forming technology can produce thin and flat glass fiber felts that can fit into the VIPs and provide a low thermal conductivity of 1.6 mW/mK. The wet forming technology can also extend the service life of the VIPs by preventing the penetration of air and moisture into the core material.
In conclusion, the wet forming technology is a novel and innovative technology that can transform glass fiber raw cotton into thin glass fiber felt. This technology can reduce the thermal conductivity, increase the resilience, and control the thickness, density, and shape of the glass fiber core material. This technology can create new possibilities and opportunities for the application and development of glass fiber core materials.